FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 22, 2023) – Gov. Andy Beshear and U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers announced more than $21 million in federal funding for the Panbowl Lake Corridor Project in Breathitt County.
The grant funding is part of the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program, which will be used to protect residents and businesses from future dangerous flooding in Jackson, Ky.
“We are thankful to see these much-needed funds coming to the City of Jackson to help this community and these families be better protected from any future severe flooding events,” Gov. Beshear said. “We thank Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Congressman Rogers for their support of this infrastructure project that will help boost the state’s ongoing stabilization and rebuilding efforts in our flood-impacted communities.”
“The people of Breathitt County were devastated by historic flooding the last two years, impacting the Kentucky Highway 15 corridor on both occasions. This hearty federal grant will go a long way to strengthen the dam, widen the roadway and ultimately relieve the fear of flooding when storm clouds roll in,” said Congressman Rogers, a senior appropriator. “I was proud to support the state’s application for this crucial grant and I applaud the U.S. Department of Transportation for investing in this worthy project to help protect our people.”
The Panbowl Lake Corridor Project includes widening KY 15 to five lanes from KY 30 to KY 1812, adding a sidewalk and shared-use path along KY 15 and improving gate structures in the area.
“We are extremely excited about this federal funding that will widen and make improvements to an extremely busy section of KY 15 and improve the drainage structures in the Panbowl Lake watershed that was pushed close to its breaking point from flooding in 2021 and 2022,” Jackson Mayor Laura Thomas said. “We are incredibly grateful for Senator McConnell, Congressman Rogers and Gov. Beshear for their help in securing this grant, and for their support throughout the years.”
“Great things happen when everyone works together from the county and city to the state and federal levels,” said Breathitt County Judge/Executive Jeff Noble. “We deeply appreciate the support from Senator McConnell, Congressman Rogers and Gov. Beshear to help the people of Breathitt County.”
This RAISE grant is the largest of four awarded to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and the only project located in Kentucky’s Fifth Congressional District. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet applied for the grant funds.
“This was one of the hardest hit areas in last year’s floods, and this project at Panbowl Lake will be a huge boost for the people of Jackson and the entire region. Gov. Beshear fought hard to secure these funds. We appreciate Secretary Buttigieg and the U.S. Department of Transportation for realizing the need and providing the federal resources,” said Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray.
In August 2022, Gov. Beshear announced that a $5.9 million contract had been awarded to stabilize and strengthen the dam impounding Panbowl Lake and carrying KY 15 through the city limits of Jackson in Breathitt County. This portion of the project was completed earlier this month. During the severe flooding in July 2022, the North Fork flooded downtown Jackson, and the state advised residents to evacuate as the water nearly came over the highway. The river also flooded the city in February 2021. To learn more, see the full release.
For more information about the U.S. Department of Transportation’s RAISE Grant program, visit transportation.gov/